Rhode Island’s Plight Before Christmas

’Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the state
People’s financial standing was not all too great
With the unemployment at 13 percent,
Folks barely had funds for food and for rent.
With children longing for Christmas ahead,
They have no idea of our state’s fiscal dread.
And, mothers and fathers trying to make the season merry
Had personal finances exceptionally weary.
Meanwhile at Smith Hill, there arose but a whimper
With no action done, making state hardships simpler
The hands were quite tied of the head elf Carcieri
Making all of his actions unproductively leery.
And, with the entrenched ilk in the legislature
They certainly weren’t seeking the state’s fiscal cure;
Run by a one-party monopoly no doubt
Gives credence to why results aren’t about.
The majority members just raise campaign funds
And, roll out a hopeless agenda that stuns
Even with a budget $220 million in the hole
Here is the agenda they push on us all:
More taxes! More spending! No job creation!
No E-Verify, no small-biz incentives, no revenue generation.
From the top of the Statehouse to the homes on our street
Our elected officials have made opportunity retreat.
But, with many weeks and months in the session gone by
This year, we’ve heard a populist battle-cry
With the Rhode Island Tea Party now formed
The policies of status quo have now been stormed.
With such economic displacement, our leaders aloof
This movement’s perspective has blown apathy’s roof
Made up of all ideologies, demos and classes
It has rung through the year like a voice for the masses.
Holding high the proud mantra of “Don’t Tread On Me”
They’ve held protests and rallies for the whole state to see
They’ve demonstrated through our First amendment right
The problems we face and deal with in plain sight.
As unemployment numbers continue to rise
Great stress of this hardship continues to strive
So says a New York Times poll out today
Gives a better idea of this sparse holiday.
With 86 percent of the unemployed “in crisis”
It shows no big-government policy has done much to advise us
As a result to make finances meet
The poll shows what sacrifices families must treat.
With 93 percent making cutbacks to spending
That means fewer Christmas gifts loved ones are sending
And, 77 percent have cut back on vacations
Meaning less holiday gatherings with family relations.
But, the worst economic poll result that came out?
Shows 60 percent have taken money from their savings account;
This goes far beyond Scrooge or Grinch,
It shows the hardship of an economic pinch.
But, as Christmas counts down and the baby New Year is born
Rhode Island can make our state economy less torn;
Take a page from R.I. Tea Party’s book
That gives the government of our founders a second look.
We don’t have to settle for what we live now,
But, strong policy changes we must allow;
So, I strongly exclaim as my words disappear
Vote do-nothing incumbents out of office next year!

Submitted by William Sousa Grapentine